U.S.: If Iran is Serious, We're a Willing Partner

Iran will find the United States a "willing partner" if Rouhani is prepared for serious talks on its nuclear program, says the White House.

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Elad Benari, 05/08/13 05:44

Hassan Rouhani

AFP photo

Iran will find the United States a "willing partner" if new President Hassan Rouhani is prepared for serious talks on its nuclear program, the White House said Sunday, according to the AFP news agency.

In a message congratulating Rouhani on his inauguration, the White House said it "presents an opportunity for Iran to act quickly to resolve the international community's deep concerns over Iran's nuclear program."

"Should this new government choose to engage substantively and seriously to meet its international obligations and find a peaceful solution to this issue, it will find a willing partner in the United States," the statement by White House press secretary Jay Carney said.

"The only path to interact with Iran is through negotiations on equal grounds, reciprocal trust-building, mutual respect and reducing hostilities," Rouhani said after being sworn in before parliament.

"If you want a proper answer, do not speak with Iran with the language of sanctions but with the language of respect," he said, adding Iran would "not surrender to sanctions, nor be threatened with war."

The West is hoping for a fresh start under Rouhani after years of unsuccessful negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program, which it suspects is aimed at developing a nuclear weapons capability.

Rouhani, who was elected in June and has been dubbed a “moderate” by the West, has promised greater openness over the country's nuclear activities. However, he is subordinate in the country's power structure to the clerical leadership, particularly in the realms of foreign policy and security.

Israel has warned that Rouhani may be a wolf in sheep’s clothing and would take advantage of any relief on sanctions to continue his country’s nuclear program.

International Relations Minister Yuval Steinitz said in an interview last week that Rouhani had “cheated” the West when he led negotiations over the nuclear program a decade ago.

“He [Rouhani] is cunning, he’s charming and he will smile all the way to the bomb unless the Western world will do everything necessary to stop him,” warned Steinitz.

Rouhani has indicated he would like a less confrontational approach to nuclear talks with six world powers than his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. At the same time he stressed soon after his election that Tehran would not consider halting the country’s uranium enrichment activities entirely.

Rouhani insisted that Iran’s nuclear activities are “within the framework of law,” and dubbed the international sanctions “baseless.”